Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a special supplemental nutrition program which provides services to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children
The Vernon County WIC Program is open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday by appointment from 8:00am-5:30pm.
Located inside the Vernon County Health Department at 301 N Washington St. Nevada, MO 64772
Contact us at (417) 667-8447
What is WIC?
WIC is a supplemental nutrition program for pregnant, breastfeeding, and postpartum women; infants; and children until their 5th birthday. WIC helps to prevent health problems and improve the health of participants through good nutrition and education. WIC supplements the diets of participants with nutritious food.
Who qualifies for WIC?
All participants must be a Missouri resident and further eligibility is based on three (3) additional things: category, income, and nutritional risk.
Category:Pregnant women
Women breastfeeding an infant up to the infant’s 1st birthday
Postpartum women up to six (6) months after delivery or end of pregnancy
Infants up to their 1st birthday
Children until their 5th birthday
Fathers, grandparents, guardians, and foster parents may also apply for benefits for the children living in their household.
Income:
Household income may be no more than 185% of the federal poverty income guidelines. Families that qualify for SNAP or TANF automatically qualify. Individuals who meet income and category guidelines will have a nutrition and health assessment during the certification process.
To see if you qualify for the Missouri WIC program, please visit the income guidelines or the prescreen tool for further information.
To apply for WIC benefits, you must visit a WIC local agency near you. Please call the closest agency for additional information or to schedule an appointment.
For additional assistance in finding a WIC local agency, please contact TEL-LINK at 1-800-TEL-LINK or 1-800-835-5465.
What food does WIC provide?
The WIC food packages are based on the type of participant (woman, infant, or child). Nutritionists can tailor the food package for each individual.
WIC encourages and provides support for breastfeeding. For babies who are not fully breastfed, iron fortified infant formula can be provided.
At six (6) months of age, infants may receive infant cereal, fruit, and vegetables. Infants who are fully breastfed also receive infant meat.
Women and children can receive milk; soy milk; eggs; cheese and yogurt; cold and hot cereal; juice; peanut butter; dried beans, peas and lentils; canned beans; infant cereal; infant formula; infant fruit, vegetables and meats; tofu; tuna; sardines and salmon; whole grain breads; brown rice; tortillas; whole wheat pasta; and fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables.
Women who fully breastfeed their babies may also receive extra food including canned tuna, salmon, or sardines.
Women, infants, and children who have certain medical conditions may also be provided exempt formula and WIC eligible nutritionals.
Breastfeeding and WIC
Promoting, supporting, and protecting breastfeeding is a crucial part of the Missouri WIC program. All local agencies in Missouri have staff trained to provide basic breastfeeding education and support and provide an environment supportive of breastfeeding. Agencies can choose to participate in the Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program to provide an extra measure of support, and can be designated as Breastfeeding Friendly WIC Clinics once they meet specific criteria.
Breastfeeding Peer Counseling Program
Who are peer counselors?
Women in the community with personal breastfeeding experience who provide information and support to other mothers.
What Does A Peer Counselor Do?
Gives basic breastfeeding information and support to new mothers.
Helps mothers achieve their own breastfeeding goals.
Regularly contacts mothers during their pregnancy, during the early days of breastfeeding, and until the mother chooses to wean her baby.
Refers mothers with concerns outside the peer counselor’s scope of practice to appropriate lactation experts or health care professionals.
Refers non-WIC mothers to other community breastfeeding resources if they are not eligible for WIC.
Is a role model for other WIC mothers.